'Mammothon' encourages women to schedule breast cancer screenings

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime, but regular screenings can reduce your risk of dying from breast cancer by 20%.

That’s why Ellis Hospital and Bellevue Woman’s Center are trying to get 250 women signed up for mammograms this month during their annual “Mammothon” event.

If you don’t have insurance or a doctor, Bellevue can help connect you with services to support you and obtain a prescription. Even if your appointment isn’t right away, the most important step is simply getting it on your schedule.

“Think of your loved ones. The earlier the detection, the better outcome you can have. Treatment is rough, but here I am almost five years later, and I’m doing pretty well,” said advocate and breast cancer survivor KellyAnn Shaw.

NEWS10’s Giuliana Bruno also spoke with Shannon DuJack, a nurse manager in the Emergency Department at Ellis who is also a breast cancer survivor. You can hear her story, along with advice from Ellis Medicine Chief Medical Officer Dr. Thea Dalfino in the video player above.